able to understand the subtle system of linkage between organic and mineral

material in the soil, but also to supply a framework for the re-structuring andre-building on all levels.

The colloidal system of the soil could be called a universal meeting point, a placefor reality and integration. For instance, organic and inorganic chemistry, split

up on academic grounds, perfectly meet as a structure-building, functional unity inthe clay-humus-oomplex. While in inorganic chemistry sane ten thousand compoundsare known' today, organic chemistry has descr ibed some hundred thousand. Based onits ability to undergo double-binds, carbon is free to organize in large varieties

of configurations. Although it belongs to those elements which are relatively less

abundant, it preferably accumulates wherever it is needed nost in the biosphere.!J:x>king,on the other hand, for the nost abundant elements in the stone-cover ofour planet, silicon comes into view. It is second in abundancy, but it is never tobe found in its pure form. It always combines with oxygen, the nost abundantelement.

(For discussion of carbon and silioon, oxides, CIJ/2 emission from the earth, thereader will have to obtain the original paper of Dr. Graefe. One source is theEarth Regeneration Society.)

That we whould imitate natural grinding, and transport by technical measures, toinduce new pushes for the organic-mineral build-up of soil, seems pure logic.

If, between quartz-blocks and salt-ions in the soil solution, something which will

be able to feed a manifold comnunity of organisms is bound to devel2,P, the 0

structural elements of the colloidal sphere should lie between 199 ! and 2999 A(9.992 nm). Colloidsare higherrankingsoil structureswith a nore luxuriousenergy-potential.Grounddown, for exampleby glacierice, rockdustwill securestabilityof the ecosystemsoil,,-whereverorganiccolloidsjoin in. Organiccolloids contain chemically bound sun-energy. Their own stability is highand, toa certain extent, they are able to stabilize mineral colloids, especially in theporous aggregate which is the oondition sine qua non of longevity and lastingfertility. If, on the other hand, acid inunissions hit this subtle colloid system,the soil drifts into a dramatic situation with links betweenplant roots andcolloidal particles gettinglost.

. As to organic colloids, we should be aware that aromatic conpounds are the nostwrtant. The waromaticity" of cellulose by lignin has already securd thestability of ~plants, which would not have been aChieved easily in unlignifiedcellulose. Without the incrustment of these durable phenolic substances, the firstlarge-scale colonization of terrestr ial biotopes would have gone into anotherdirection. Ecosystems which are not only exposed to rain, snow, hoar-frost andespecially storms, but also display 75% of their biomass above ground, are in needof special physical properties to gain a secure footing and stability.

Also, the second large colonization of further terrestrial biotopes by perennialgrass species was the result of aromaticity. This time it was the soil itself thatwas aromatized by humic acids and clay-humus-oomplexes which can be very wellobserved in the chernozem. Perennial grass species deposit 75%of their biomass ina deeply penetrating root-system and produce the starting substance for thebuild-up of deep reaching black soil.

x x x

High soil quality is the result of functioning, links. These links must not becategorized as static structural elements, butwe should become conscious of theirdynamics on the nolecular level:

1. Whenweathering breaks down stone structures in the soil, clay-minerals are52